Eczema: why you get it, why you should avoid steroid creams, and how can you find alternatives that work.
Most people will either have experienced eczema first-hand or know someone with it and with Eczema seemingly on the rise, particularly with young babies and children, many people are looking for ways to avoid steroid based creams.
Eczema can be an acute or chronic condition which can impact significantly on your life with symptoms including redness, dry skin, itchiness and inflammation.
WHY AVOID STEROID CREAMS?
Topical steroid creams are designed to temporarily relieve the itchiness and redness. That seems to make sense but there are some side effects of using these creams.
- The skin is your largest organ and absorbs a lot of what is put on it, this means that even topical use of steroids will result in certain amounts entering your bloodstream and system.
- Steroid creams are designed as a temporary solution, they do not address the underlying cause of the eczema.
- The long-term use of these creams have visible side effects, mostly irreversible, such as the thinning of the skin and changes in pigmentation.
- They can also supress your immune system making you more susceptible to infection and illness.
I think it is clear why people want to try and avoid steroid creams, so what’s the solution?
There are many different natural solutions available, it pays to do your research and ensure that the brand you choose to try is truly natural and there are no hidden nasties.
SOOTHE & HEAL
At The Herb Farm we have a holistic view of natural healing and have created a New Zealand first 100% natural solution for treating eczema. We believe that healing takes place internally and externally and when you are able to address both at the same time you will see optimum results.
Our Soothe & Heal range includes a cream, soap and flaxseed oil blend, these products contain Waihi Bush’s famous flax oil, along with other anti-inflammatory and healing oils and extracts, and are handcrafted on-site at The Herb Farm.
Our Soothe & Heal range includes a cream, a gentle soap and a flaxseed oil.
- Soothe & Heal Soap– what you wash with is very important in the prevention and healing of eczema, we strongly recommend discarding shower gels and soaps which are not natural. This soap offers a gentle and soothing alternative for all the family.
- Soothe & Heal Cream– this is the natural alternative to steroid creams which helps to reduce redness, ease itching and heal the skin. This cream has had amazing results for all types of itchy skin conditions.
- Soothe & Heal Flaxseed Oil Blend– Waihi Bush’s blend of cold pressed oils is designed to deliver optimum Omega 3 for healthy skin and reduce inflammation. This oil can be added to smoothies, porridge, salads, hummus and other foods and helps to address deficiencies in your body which can contribute to eczema.
WHY ME?
Why you have eczema could be straight-forward – it could be as simple as a reaction to the laundry powder you use, or it can be more complex, and a combination of diet, environment, products used…
Each person is individual and what works will be different. A good natural treatment system like our Soothe & Heal range is a great start. Here are our other top tips for helping with eczema.
- Use of skin and body products- we recommend using only natural products as much as possible in your daily life to minimise your exposure to toxins and synthetic chemicals.
- Bath/Hair Care- use only natural shower gels, soaps and shampoos and conditioners. This is very important for children in particular, or if you have problems with your scalp. For little babies/children they don’t need much, if anything, in the bath – a very gentle natural soap or a little bit of oil is fine.
- Cleaning- the cleaning products we use in our house can have an impact on our health – we absorb these through contact and also inhalation. We recommend brands such as Ecostore and Earthwise which are both available from your local supermarket. Alternatively, you can make your own with very basic and cheap ingredients.
- Laundry- using a natural laundry powder, like Ecostore or Earthwise, is very important, especially for children/babies.
- Diet- what we put into our bodies is crucial to wellbeing and good health. We recommend to minimise refined sugar and processed foods, eat lots of fresh produce and wholefoods, drink 2 litres of water a day (start your day with a glass of water with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice in it – this kick starts your liver and helps to neutralise the acid in your body) and ensure good gut health with probiotics and fermented foods.
- Check out this blog– Eleanor Ozich, it is about a young Mum, Eleanor, whose daughter was suffered from very bad eczema. She changed the family’s diet and cured her daughter. There are yummy healthy recipes as well!
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By Sarah Cowan (Managing Director, The Herb Farm) August 2016 |
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